NON BOOK RATIONALE

PART 1-LIBRARIANS AS FISHERMEN; NON-BOOK MATERIALS AS BAIT!!!

INTRODUCTION

The fight to incorporate “non-book materials” into Library collections has been waged from the materials creation almost a century ago. Yet, although the question is old, it remains relevant today as continuous developments in the technology landscape are changing what we collect and for whom. It is paramount that Librarians continue to collect non-book materials to meet user needs, increase community support, cater to different learning styles, preserve content, and remain vital to a pool of users that is increasingly looking to the internet to meet their information needs. This report will touch upon these key reasons for collecting non-book materials as well as focus in on one of the newest additions to many library collections, down-loadable audio books.


WHAT DO USERS WANT?

A primary rationale for collecting non-book materials is answering the question, “What do users want?” This involves analysis of current library patrons and possible library patrons. In the public Library arena, where taxpayers pay for library services with their dollars, it is vital to pay attention to the demographics of the specific communities served. At the Brooklyn Public Library, a collection of downloadable films, music, books, and audio books is available on their website through the use of Overdrive media software, and the Net Library. When selecting titles for their “e-Flicks” video collection, they considered the local community that might utilize such a service. They decided to gear their selection to a younger demographic of adults, who may not normally use Library services, but were definitely comfortable with the digital landscape. Barbara Genco, director of collection development states that they decided to collect, “Wacky titles “that they” thought would go well with that young demographic. Anything urban, classics, ‘hipper’ titles were” their “choices for launch” of the program (Kim 62).


LIBRARIANS AS FISHERMEN

Digital withdrawals increase circulation figures demonstrating community support of library programs. These statistics are important to prove that the community at large is indeed using library services. However, they do little to bring patrons into the Library to see what else there is to offer. Featuring non-book materials, in a collection can draw people into the fold. Once they come in for that specific, DVD or video game, they may find an interesting collection of Graphic Novels, books on Green Household products, or anything that catches their eye. If it wasn’t for that audio-visual bait, we wouldn’t have caught a new user.


VISUAL LEARNERS

Yet, non-book materials must not be seen as trivial components of a library collection. Audio-visual aids can be used to reach a new demographic of learners, not helped by traditional textbook materials. Felder and Silverman speak of these “visual learners” who “remember best what they see--pictures, diagrams, flow charts, time lines, films, and demonstrations” (57). However, they remind us that all learners are aided by the utilization of audio-visual materials. Libraries can help to fulfill their educational duties by building a collection of documentary films.


ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES

Furthermore, librarians must bolster their support of non-book collections, to compete with the vast amount of information and entertainment sources that are proliferated on the Internet. Barbara Genco BPL collections librarian, predicts, “I keep feeling that over time people are not going to want to go somewhere and have a physical thing,” (qtd. in Kim 63). Exploring new more “flexible” formats, like digital downloads are a way to simply keep our jobs. If the library as place changes from physical to digital, we must “roll with the punches”. Maintaining and adding to a non-book collection, is our not so secret weapon, a way to remain vital in this ever-changing technology driven world.


PROTECTING THE PAST

As we build non-book collections to remain current, we must also build collections to preserve the past. Maintaining devices to visualize microfilmed content or scanners to digitize fragile papers are also components of a well thought out audio-visual program.



PART 2- DOWLOAD THIS!- NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN DOWNLOADABLE AUDIOBOOKS
INTRODUCTION

I remember first listening to an audiocassette recording of the The Fellowship of the Ring on a family road trip to Virginia Beach. An avid reader, I was always the crewmate about to jump ship, when a bout of motion sickness, inevitably led me to put down my book. I have my mother to thank for that fateful trip to our local public library where I selected this amazing title to keep us busy. I remember even my very feminine older sister enjoying the fabulous British accents on this BBC recording. Ever since then, I have become an avid fan of audio books.

The latest developments in the realm of audio books are downloadable titles in WMA or MP3 format. WMA stands for “windows media audio”. MP3 is short for “MPEG Audio Layer 3, part of the MPEG-1, format for compressed digital video” (Crawford 64). MP3 selections allow users to download titles to a variety of playback devices including iPods. Where WMA files, on the other hand, are only downloadable to Windows compatible equipment. Selections for Audio books are vast, with healthy numbers of fiction and non-fiction titles growing daily. There are three main purveyors of downloadable texts (and many smaller vendors). They include Amazon’s Audible, Overdrive, and Net Library. Audible, currently requires users to download titles onto play-away devices (either their own or those provided by the Library). For the focus of this report I have decided to feature the offerings of Overdrive and Net Library because they allow users to access library collections without having to enter the physical location.

OVERVIEW OF SUPPLIERS

Overdrive, appears to be leading the pack of download suppliers. It provides users with a free “Media Console,” that allows them to “download, …receive, listen to, …transfer”, and in some cases burn to disc audio files of their preference (Dye 14). Libraries have the option of “owning” selected audio books or subscribing to collections. Items that are owned may be virtually “checked out to users” one at a time, just like a CD in the media collection. The user then has a pre-designated amount of time (generally around one week) to listen to the title, before “an encryption in the file….self-destructs” the title making it unusable (Dye 14). A limited selection of classics within the collection, are available to multiple users simultaneously as well as burnable to disc. If the Library decides to go with the subscription plan, the titles they select will be available for multiple checkouts, however as the subscription ends, the library must resubscribe to the title, purchase it, or select new titles to add to the subscription. Overdrive’s biggest downfall has been its adherence to the WMA audio format with DRM (Digital Rights Management) embedded security features. This proprietary format disallows Apple or iPod users access to the collection. However, within this last year Overdrive has announced the introduction of “Version 3.0 for Windows” which will be compatible with MP3 and WMA audio books, as well as a new MP3 compatible Mac version. (Kaye 35). Unfortunately, due to the recency of its release few libraries have made the transition to adopting these new adaptations.

Net Library is brought to users by OCLC for an annual subscription price. Pricing is “based on all circulation statistics for public libraries and total service population for other types of libraries” (Peters et al 61). Libraries purchase a block of titles for a year, and when the titles stop circulating they have the option to buy more. Net Library files are contained in the WMA format, and offer quality options for audio downloads. One can select “radio” or “CD” quality, allowing the user options for faster downloading, especially for dial-up holdouts. (Peters et al. 61). MARC records are available for all Net Library holdings.

MY EXPERIMENT

Overdrive is the downloading supplier chosen by the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. Armed with my library card in hand I experimented downloading the media console, browsing the collection, and selecting titles to download and reserve. I was pleased by the speed of download through my wireless laptop connection. However, when utilizing my parents’ dial up, I was unhappy to find the download time altered from a few minutes to a few hours. The titles I selected were The Notebook and Atlas Shrugged, both of which had excellent audio quality and were read by actors with dynamic voices. It is important to note that Overdrive allows users to download its media console for free from any number of computers, provided they are Windows compatible.

MEDIUM RATIONALE

After my experiment with Overdrive and analysis of the offerings of other providers, I have concluded that downloadable audio books are extremely worthwhile additions to public library collections. I have developed a list of justifications for their inclusion.

1. Digital downloads are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
2. Digital downloads are bringing “younger and more tech savvy” users “into the fold,” (Maughan 27)
3. Digital downloads increase access to library collections for handicapped and homebound populations. Overdrive in particular offers speech reader compatibility as well as keystroke operations for all of its visual cues.
3. Audio books cannot be lost or damaged.
4. Audio books require no physical processing and minimal data entry.
5. Audio books are never overdue.
6. Audio books do not take up valuable floor space in a physical library.
7. Usage statistics may be compiled quickly from digital formats.
8. Digital audio books provide an entertainment service for populations who cannot afford to purchase these selections. (Especially important at times of economic hardship).
9. Digital audio books and all other downloadable formats keep libraries at the forefront of technology change. Providing free information and entertainment to all.

RECCOMENDATIONS

Yet despite their many benefits, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome is that of format. The WMA/ MP3 formats each have their own DRM (Digital Rights Management) requirements. DRM is implemented as “ a method of copy protection, as well as a way to control distribution” (Block 43). It prevents files from being burnt to CD, as well as being compatible with competitors operating systems. However, several authors have noted that Overdrive has plans to do away with DRM restrictions for a limited amount of selections (Milliot, Rogers). Another hurdle is the user. Peters notes that audio books are checked out most to, “commuters and other travelers,” “exercise enthusiasts,” and “people with print impairments.” Marketing and training must take place with in the library to let patrons know that these services are available to them. Libraries should hold introductory sessions for patrons and staff to familiarize them with how to operate their particular system. Once the word gets out, digital collections of all types will continue to grow, and Librarians must be at the forefront of that inevitable change.






REFERENCES



-Block, Carson. “DRM-It! I want Free, Downloadable Audio Books for our Patrons!” Colorado Libraries, 33(4), 43-44 (2007).

-Crawford, Walt. “MP3 Audiobooks: A New Library Medium?” American Libraries. August 2001, 64-66.

-Dye, Jessica “Turning Up Loan Volume: NYPL Offers Online Audio Books,” EContent 28(9), Spring 2005, 14.

-Felder, R.M. and Silverman R.K. "Learning and Teaching Styles in Engineering Education," Engr. Education, 78(7), 1988, 674-681.

-Kaye, Alan L. “Audio Fixation,” Library Journal, 133(9), May 15, 2008, 34-37.

-Kim, Ann. “The Future is Now,” Library Journal. 131(9) May 15, 2006, 60-63.

-Milliot, Jim. “Simply Audiobooks to Abandon DRM,” Publishers Weekly. 254(39), October 1, 2007, 6.

-Peters, Tom Lori Bell, Diana Brawley Sussman, and Sharon Ruda. “An Overview of Digital Audio,” Computers in Libraries. 25(7) Jl/Ag 2005, 6-8, 61-64.

-Rogers, Michael. “Ebooks and Downloadable Audio Making Progress,”Library Journal, 132(17), October 15 2007, 21-22.

-Rogers, Michael. “Overdrive Offering Downloadable MP3s Sans DRM,” Library Journal, 133(7), April 15, 2008, 25-26.